Finding a home for three World War II era photo albums is harder than one Bluffton woman thought.

Sandy Thoburn, 72, came across the albums while cleaning out her parent’s house after they died. The albums are of her stepfather’s days in the U.S. Army as a Chief Warrant Officer in Europe. Her stepfather, Edgar W. Hazard, took the photos while stationed in Central Europe after the fall of Adolf Hitler.

Thoburn does not have anyone to pass them down to and she is looking to donate the photos so others can enjoy them.

“I feel a duty to see that these go somewhere where they will be cared for and preserved,” said Thoburn.

While the albums themselves are in need of replacement the photo’s inside are in good condition. Each photo is captioned and each new section is dated and has the location of the photos. Along with the albums, Thoburn has a folder of her stepfather’s documents from that time. The documents include Hazard’s movements, troop rosters, and notifications for his awards and medals. Thoburn also has his medals and awards. She hopes everything can be kept together where they can be shared with everyone

Grace Cordial, the historical resources coordinator at the Beaufort District Collection which is housed in Beaufort County Library, said people find historical items all the time.

“It happens more regularly than you would imagine,” Cordial said. “Mostly when someone passes away there is stuff to distribute or discard.”

Thoburn does not want to see the photos or the documents thrown away. She has already been turned down by the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion.

“Once my generation is gone all this information goes with us,” Thoburn said. “This is a way to preserve it.”

Cordial said she is glad Thoburn is looking to save the albums.

“She’s trying to do the right thing to preserve and share them,” Cordial said. “It’s always wonderful to see people try to do this.”

Thoburn said she will keep trying and her goal is to keep her father’s memory alive.

“My No. 1 goal is to honor his memory,” Thoburn said. “I also hope it will help veterans come together if they see the photos.”